Monday, October 6, 2014

Creative Blog Hop

I have had the pleasure of being nominated by Di Barnes, a fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrator, to take part in the Creative Blog Hop, where I share some creative insights with you, and then nominate a friend to answer the same questions next week.

What is the Creative Blog Hop?

It's a continuous blog hop every Monday where crafters answer questions about their crafting & creative process, then tag others to continue on the blog hop the following Monday. I thought this was a fun idea, so have agreed to take part.

1. What am I working on now?

I have recently discovered Project Life scrapbooking - earlier this year, Stampin' Up! paired with Becky Higgins and released PLxSU, which was just the nudge I needed to embrace the Project Life memory-keeping system.

I have scrapbooked before, and in fact was a scrapbooker before I was a card-maker; but with 3 children and a part-time job, I just find it too time-consuming to keep up to date - there aren't enough crafting hours in a day!! I also struggle with how to organise the pages in my traditional scrapbook albums - everything is 12x12" but nothing really relates to the page before or after it, and there is no logical order to the subject matter, so scrapbooking kinda fell off my radar for a few years.

I had also heard of Project Life, but 1) didn't have time/energy to commit to completing the photo-a-day or weekly spreads that this system favours, and 2) with only a limited budget to spend on crafting, I made a decision to support my own business and shop "Stampin' Up! only". But when SU announced they were bringing out some Project Life products, I enthusiastically bought the lot, and then also ventured to Spotlight to boost my supplies - I'd love to stay SU loyal, but I had 3 years worth of photos not in albums, and buying the bulk boxes was really a good option, and also fitted much better with my soft, girly theme than the bold and bright geometrics of most of the SU card kits.

So to answer the first question - in-between making cards for friends and family as needed, and preparations for my monthly Stamp Club classes, I am also converting all my old photo albums and bits of emphemera to the Project Life albums. I'm almost finished the album of my wedding and honeymoon (2003), my current "2014" album is up-to-date (I only journal events and everyday photos and life happening, rather than doing a committed week by week, or even month by month layout). I am also working backwards through all my kids photos and getting them into Project Life albums as well, I think I'm on 2009. By no means are 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 complete lol, but the photos are in albums, journaling and headings are underway, and my tatty, ripped old albums are in the bin, so its a start!

I've also just made an Engagement Card for my baby sister (so very excited for her!) and a Thank You card for our property manager who has not only successfully found us a short-term tenant to keep within the timeframe of when we start our renovations, but she has also helped greatly with a few teething problems with the new tenants!

2. How does my work differ from others in my genre?

It's difficult to put a name to my particular style, as it is always evolving. What I loved a year ago, is different to what I love now, and different again to what I loved 7 years ago when I took up papercrafting as a proper hobby. This is also a reflection of the supplies that I have in my stash - both what is available to buy these days, and also the growing percentage of it which I own LOL. I always admire other peoples style, and will take inspiration from other peoples work, but I do try and keep my own style fresh, rather than being a carbon copy of somebody elses.

3. Why do I create what I do?

I've loved paper and pens and stationery since I was a little girl. I have memories of going to work with my Dad on the weekends and spending the whole day in his office stationery supply room. My Mum is a crafter (she sews, knits, quilts, mosaics, you name it) and I guess the need to "make stuff" has been passed on to me. Even my sister has recently started "making stuff" - she's stared making her own jewellery.

I've always kept diaries and journals and special keepsakes, you might call me a bit of a hoarder lol. So right now my focus is on organising my memories in a way that is meaningful, visually appealing and most of all, enjoyable to do. My children in turn love to be involved with both the creative process, and enjoying the finished product. My Mum has been researching our Family Tree for many years and recording photos, interviews and interesting bits of heritage. I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. I want to record memories in a way that my family can enjoy, but more than that, I hope that the tradition gets passed down to another generation.

4. How does my creative process work?

I took up scrapbooking when my oldest daughter was born, and the girls are now 7, 5 1/2 and almost-4. It started out being something that I could do for ME when the babies were sleeping; as well as documenting their stories, it gave me a creative outlet to just sit and do something I enjoyed. As well as the practical aspect of getting photos into albums (whatever the method), there is something very soothing and relaxing about crafting. I love the paper, I love the colours, I love all the tools and supplies - it makes me happy to walk into my craft area and see all my pretty things.

I don't know that I really have a process - I've got a fairly good eye for colour and balance, and I definitely know what I like and don't like, so I suppose my process is just to set aside some time (usually still while the children are sleeping!) and actually make something!

Now, for nominating a friend. I am actually going to be bold and do a nomination OUTSIDE of papercrafting - I've looked back through several blogs in the Hop, and whether by design or not, they're all papercrafting. My friend Sarah has an amazing knitting blog, so I decided that you can all go and check her out! She will be answering these questions on Monday 13th October.

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About Me

I am a 30-something stay-at-home mum to three girls, based in Auckland, NZ. I have been an Independent Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator since February 2012.
Tiny Kiwi was my 'trading name' at Craft Markets where I used to sell my homemade giftcards and cute NZ Made baby onesies. I am no longer running this venture now that my kids are older and I have returned to work.